Houston Marathon and Half Marathon

No pre-race jitters for this confident group of Finish Strong athletes!

Photo: Team Finish Strong Racing Phillip DePrang celebrates finishing Houston Marathon and qualifying for Boston Marathon!

Wet roads and later rain did not deter thousands of people from participating in the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half Marathon on Sunday, January 30. Finish Strong athletes were in abundance at both events. Kudos to Phillip Deprang, Christelle Gigant, Lisa Hill, Brad Johnson, Michael Menster, Leo Morales, and Branden Sager who all qualified for the Boston Marathon!

Competing in the marathon (26.2 mile race) were Winston Cervantes (3:49:35), Casey Clark (4:08:20) and his wife Judith (4:03:36), Kristin Collins (3:53:23), Jose Contreras (4:50:43), Rich Cooper (4:53:51 - his 10th Houston marathon!), Phillip Deprang (4:00:21 qualified for Boston!), Greg Gibbons (4:03:03), Maureen Gibbons (5:11:39), Christelle Gigant (3:50:03 - qualified for Boston!), Jim Harrington (3:46:04), Lisa Hill (3:50:43 - qualified for Boston!), Brad Johnson (3:35:47 - qualified for Boston!), Michael Menster (3:12:37 - qualified for Boston!), Leo Morales (3:20:15 - qualified for Boston), Branden Sager (2:59:37 - coming in 106th overall and 23rd in his division and qualifying for Boston), and Jon Yarborough (4:50:12).

The half marathon competitors included: Manuel Abascal (1:53:36), Rodrigo Abascal (1:47:47), Mike Bard (1:56:34), Stephen Clouthier (2:03:17), Don Cole (1:35:55 - 9th in his AG and 180th overall), Chelsea Estes (1:38:18 - 12th in her AG, 47th overall), Jody Gaddy (1:42:56), Dana Lyons (1:24:08 - won his AG and 49th overall!), Gavish Mago (1:21:43 - 7th in his AG and 33rd overall!), Kim McElligott (1:44:02), Marshal McInnis (1:52:51), Chris Normyle (1:56:14), Rip Reynolds (1:34:02), Jen Severns (1:58:30), Buck Snyder (1:39:29) and his wife Kerri (1:49:37), Bill Spijkerman (2:30:57), Tommy Sustala (1:32:59 - 10th in his AG and 129th overall), and Tim Monk (1:32:38).

Well done!!